Leroy James WATTS

WATTS, POOLMAN, WEIR, STURTZ, BISBEY, NELSON, DORSEY, FOLLETT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/30/2015 at 23:20:18

October 20, 1935 ---- June 27, 2015

Leroy Watts, 79, of Clarion passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion. Funeral services for Leroy Watts will be held following visitation at 8:00 PM. Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Leroy James Watts was born October 20, 1935 to Wilber L. and Blanche L. (Poolman) Watts in Clarion, Iowa. Leroy was raised in rural Clarion, attended country schools and graduated from Clarion High School with the Class of 1953. Leroy was united in marriage to Juanita Weir on September 30, 1956 at the Clarion Church of Christ. The couple made their home on a farm southwest of Clarion, where they spent almost their entire married life, until moving to Clarion in 1999. Leroy always lived within six miles of the family farm. The Watts Family farm has been designated as a Century Farm.

Leroy was a lifelong farmer, retiring in 2007. In addition to crop farming, he raised Milking Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, which he showed at the Wright County and Iowa State fairs. Leroy was named 1955 Star Farmer of North Central District FFA and received the Clarion Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1969. Leroy loved to work. In addition to his farming operation, he participated in owning and operating the skating rink in Clarion. Leroy was active in both 4-H and FFA for many years, and served as a Farm Bureau officer.

Leroy enjoyed vegetable gardening, and in recent years, began quilting. He completed over 20 quilts. Leroy will be remembered as a good provider who enjoyed spending time with his family, attending their events and instilling a strong work ethic in his children.

Leroy is survived by his wife Juanita of Clarion; children Delnita (Doug) Sturtz of Des Moines, Lynnda (Tim) Purcell of Clarion, Renee (Brian) Bisbey of Beloit, Wisconsin, Peggy Watts of Ames, Wayne (Lanette) Watts of Clarion and Les Watts of Clarion; 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings Leland (Carol) Watts, Lura (Dwayne) Nelson, Denny (Marlo) Watts, Gary (Jeanne) Watts; sister-in-law Dianne (Tom) Dorsey; brother-in-law Doug Follett; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents Wilber L. and Blanche Watts; grandson Eric Watts; and siblings Charles Watts, Leonard Watts and Mary Follett.

Ewing Funeral Home - Clarion, Iowa
http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries.php?id=893